Chapter 66: You want to learn, I'll teach you
While mulling over the video, Zhang Beixing made a decision. Today's ordeal was something he only wanted to experience once. Unless there was no other choice in the future, it was better not to repeat that mistake.
As he pondered these matters, Lin Siqi sat across from him with a cup of milk tea. One hand propped up her chin as she watched Zhang Beixing, while the other gently swirled the straw in her drink.
Noticing Zhang Beixing's complexion had improved, Lin Siqi stopped swirling her milk tea, took a sip, and then asked, "So Lao Zhang, what are you planning to do next, you greenhorn? Did the training take such a toll that you need a few days' rest?"
Upon hearing her words, Zhang Beixing's face immediately darkened. He wiped the grease from his lips with a napkin, then looked at Lin Siqi and said seriously, "First, I'll say it again: I'm not weak, just extremely hungry. Second, I'm not going to 'rest.' I'm thinking of balancing work and leisure, taking a day or two off. It's absolutely not because I'm weak, understand?"
"Got it, got it, got it. You're not weak at all; you're the mightiest, okay?" Lin Siqi nodded perfunctorily, as if placating a child. After another sip of milk tea, she asked why his training had affected him so, what the deal was with Yue Family Boxing, and whether it was difficult to practice.
Zhang Beixing thought for a moment before blaming all his current problems on Yue Family Boxing. He then explained its pros and cons: powerful, but harmful to the body if practiced long-term.
Hearing this, a look of sudden realization dawned on Lin Siqi's cute face. Seeing her reaction, Zhang Beixing found it amusing and teased, "What? You want to learn? Just say so, and I'll teach you!"
Lin Siqi shook her head. "No, thank you. I don't think I could handle such a body-harming Cultivation Technique. I still want to live a carefree life for a good few more years…"
Halfway through her sentence, Lin Siqi suddenly realized her words might be problematic. 'Live a carefree life for a good few more years'? Wasn't that indirectly saying that practicing Yue Family Boxing shortened one's life? Normally, saying it wouldn't be a big deal, but the crucial issue was that Zhang Beixing, who practiced Yue Family Boxing, was sitting right there. To say something like that...
"Sorry, sorry, Lao Zhang, I didn't mean it! I wasn't talking about Yue Family Boxing. I meant that I myself, uh… lack the determination!"
Seeing Lin Siqi hastily trying to explain, Zhang Beixing waved his hand, indicating it was fine; he didn't mind. After all, it's an undeniable truth that Yue Family Boxing harms the body! He couldn't very well get angry at someone for speaking the truth.
Of course, this didn't mean Zhang Beixing would let just anyone belittle the martial arts he practiced. It all depended on the person. If it was Lin Siqi, an old friend, saying it, then it was no big deal. Let her say what she wanted; it didn't really matter.
But if a stranger said it, Zhang Beixing would beat the crap out of them. If they didn't literally soil themselves, he'd consider them lucky. Who did these nobodies think they were, critiquing the traditional martial arts of Great Xia? It was quite the double standard.
"But Sister Qi, if you have no intention of learning, why ask in such detail? Are you asking for someone else?" Zhang Beixing took a sip of his drink and asked casually.
Lin Siqi didn't hide anything. She nodded and said directly, "Yes. Do you still remember Sophia Zhou?"
"Sophia Zhou?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Beixing paused, then thought for a moment before frowning. "Are you talking about that girl from the Shida sports department, the one I outclassed at the stadium over half a month ago?" He remembered she had even liked and commented on one of his social media posts.
"That's right, it's her. To tell you the truth, she asked me to come and ask you about this," Lin Siqi nodded.
Zhang Beixing was even more puzzled. "What does she want to know this for?"
"It's all because of a certain martial artist!" At the mention of this, Lin Siqi grew annoyed. Remembering her futile attempts to reason with Sophia Zhou, which only made Sophia fall deeper into her obsession, Lin Siqi's tone became tinged with grievance. "If that martial artist hadn't bragged after outclassing the poor girl, claiming all his skills came from martial arts, she wouldn't have been so thoroughly misled. She comes to me every day, asking about that martial artist, so concerned for him. Unfortunately, while she cares about him, he doesn't care about her. That martial artist has long forgotten the girl. It's truly a terrible thing he's done, don't you think, Zhang... Bei... Xing?"
"Ah... this..." Zhang Beixing was stunned. He naturally knew Lin Siqi was talking about him. What puzzled him more was that his casual boast back then had been taken so seriously by Sophia Zhou. Seriously, girl. Aren't you being a bit too gullible!
Afterward, they chatted a bit more. Zhang Beixing really couldn't bear Lin Siqi's look, which seemed to scream "scumbag." Finding an excuse, he returned to his dormitory.
"Oh, and remember to send me the video."
Not long after he returned to his dormitory, DINGDONG—a crisp notification sounded from his phone. Zhang Beixing looked down and saw Lin Siqi had sent him the video of his tightrope martial arts training from earlier that day.
He opened the video and quickly scanned through it. The recording quality was fine; everything was captured clearly from start to finish, including the part at the end where he was drenched in sweat.
After watching the entire video, Zhang Beixing replied to Lin Siqi with an OK panda emoji.
As evening approached, after dinner, Zhang Beixing finally opened his video editing software, imported the footage, and began editing. He worked on it late into the night. After editing the video and adding some background music to give it a cool vibe, Zhang Beixing reviewed it one more time to ensure there were no problems.
He uploaded it to Douyin. Then, after pondering for a moment, Zhang Beixing started to craft a title for the video.
This video was shot specifically based on netizens' suggestions. His main goal was to encourage more suggestions from them. After all, seeing him complete one suggestion would surely motivate others to voice their ideas. Therefore, this video's title couldn't be as wild as before; it needed to be more subtle.
Thus, after careful consideration, Zhang Beixing uploaded a video titled, "[Tightrope Martial Arts Training, Walking Like a Dragon #LivingAuthentic #ChallengeTheImpossible]," to Douyin, and it entered the review process.